Bolton Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman: I need fans' support

WANDERERS are backing under-pressure boss Dougie Freedman to turn round results as the club slid towards the relegation zone with Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Ipswich.

It is understood that the embattled boss has got the support of owner Eddie Davies and chairman Phil Gartside amidst a worrying run of form which has seen them drop to 20th in the Championship table.

Wanderers have won just one of their last nine games and stand just four points outside the bottom three.

But Freedman insisted after Saturday’s slender defeat at Portman Road that he was still the man to lead the club out of danger and asked for the fans’ support in what he felt was a key run of fixtures in the next month. “It’s a wonderful club and it’s one I want to take forward but right now we’re in a difficult moment,” he said.

“It’s not a time I want to start blaming people, that’s not my style. Of course I’m responsible; I’ll take the blame if people are dishing it out.

“But I need to make sure we’re all in it together and that includes the fans. Yes, we are letting the away fans down right now, but we have got an opportunity to win some games at home and I’m sure we can do that.

“We just need that win, and with four home games coming up I think we’ll be talking a different game in a few weeks.”

Wanderers were 20th at this stage of last season, three points off the bottom three, and 13 off the play-offs.

Hopes of emulating last term’s charge up the table are virtually non-existent among supporters, however, and their frustration was exacerbated by the lack of defensive or attacking additions before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Freedman assured fans every effort was made to secure his targets – and he remains hopeful of bringing in new faces when the loan window reopens.

“It’s difficult right now but there’s no need to sit here and blaming things – is it the finances, is it this or that,” he said. “We tried very hard to get someone in within our means but it wasn’t to be.

“In my experience this is not the time to be blaming people or panicking. This is a time to regroup, get together and be honest with the fans – this is where we are.”

Craig Dawson was a name on everyone’s lips when he missed out on a loan move to Wigan Athletic at the last minute on Friday night.

The Latics are expected to go again for the former England Under-21 defender this week with a view to signing him next Friday when the window reopens for emergency loans.

Wanderers fans were frustrated that the player who has so long been a target of Freedman could slip out of reach, especially given that sources close to the player claim he would favour a move to the Reebok.

Freedman kept tight-lipped on the Dawson front but said that Trotter, brought in on loan from Millwall would be a good addition to his squad.

“Craig Dawson is a West Brom player so I can’t really comment,” he said.

“But I thought that Liam Trotter would give us that little bit more power through the midfield area.